A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

The finding that the autism group made significant errors on Happé's "strange stories" is particularly important as it highlights a key aspect of the cognitive differences associated with autism. The "strange stories" task is designed to assess the ability to understand complex social situations and the mental states of others, which involves theory of mind (the ability to attribute thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and intentions to oneself and others).

Individuals with autism often struggle with this kind of perspective-taking, affecting their ability to interpret nuanced social cues or understand the intentions behind others' actions. The significant errors made by the autism group in this study emphasize their unique challenges in social cognition compared to neurotypical individuals and suggest that difficulties in understanding figurative language and social scenarios are a distinct characteristic of autism. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of how autism can impact social interactions and communication.